Federated System for Centralized Management and Distribution of Content Media

ABSTRACT

The invention comprises a federated system having a centralized data collection node that receives real-time data feeds from multiple airport systems, a data decoupling module for scrubbing received data, coding scrubbed data, and validating coded output data, and a central control node for monitoring and controlling the system. The invention also includes graphical user interfaces and methods for displaying such information at a central node, or NOC. The invention can also detect output devices and create specific special purpose feeds for each data destination or remote display, as well as systems that allow an airline to remotely access and update the status and settings of a remote travel operations display system via the Internet.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a system and method fordistribution and delivery of media content and other data to airport orcampus users, employees, and vendors, and more particularly to anintegrated distribution system that collects data from multiple feedersources into a single database, scrubs, re-purposes, and validates thedata to create one or more filtered special-purpose data feeddistributions that is published to user display devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A modern airport will have multiple separate systems for displayingflight information, check-in, baggage information, public safety, TSA,weather, gate information, vendor advertising, transportation, controltower and tarmac operations information. Each of these system generatestheir own data feed, in their own format, stored and retrieved fromtheir own databases, updated on their own schedule, and displayed totheir specific user population via dedicated displays.

It is currently not possible within existing airport systems to, from asingle central control station, change the feed at a specific display,e.g. flight departures, located at a specific location such as the mainterminal, to a different feed, for example public safety evacuationinstructions.

It is also not currently possible at existing modern airports for apassenger to subscribe to an air travel application on his or her mobiledevice that provides passenger specific information, such as providing ageo-tag for his or her vehicle in order to remember a parking spot,providing the walking travel time from the parking spot to reach thegate associated with their flight, providing updated boarding times anddeparture times, providing information on the trend of the queue at theTSA checkpoint associated with their gate, encouraging the passenger todecide on a post-TSA checkpoint coffee versus a pre-TSA checkpointcoffee by offering a coupon (intra-airport passenger management),providing flight information, weather information, providing in-flightmeal and entertainment information and carry-on options, usingsmartphone near-field communications to provide airport vendor coupons,and using their smartphone IP address to send accurate, real-timereminders or alerts.

Accordingly, there is strong demand for accurate, timely content byusers of airports and other campus-type facilities.

There is currently no available single unified interface to achieve allor most of these functions. The prior art does not teach a centrallylocated computer that distributes a stream of constantly updated data toa plurality of data distribution nodes for periodic download as taughtby this invention.

There is a long-felt need for airport and campus operators to be able toreceive data feeds form multiple sources, scrub, code, and validate thedata, and then re-distribute selected or filter information to traveloperations displays and user equipment.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a combined airportfeeds user interface, comprising:

-   -   a data feeds region configured to display links to real-time        airport data feeds selected from the group consisting of an        airline feed, a baggage feed, a terminal feed, a public safety        feed, a passenger feed, a weather fed a gate feed, a vendor        feed, a transportation feed, an air traffic control feed, and a        media feed;    -   a system management region configured to display system        management tools for a travel operations display system for        centralized management and distribution of airport content        media, wherein the travel operations display system        comprises (i) a centralized data collection node that receives        the real-time airport data feeds, (ii) a data decoupling module        for scrubbing the received data of the real-time airport feeds,        coding the scrubbed data, and validating the coded data,        and (iii) a central control node for monitoring and controlling        the travel operations display system; and    -   at least one additional region configured to display information        relating to the at least one additional region, wherein the at        least one additional region selected from a manage relational        database region, a manage remote display region, a manage        customer/passenger mobile devices region, an emergency        management region, an archive region, a manage beacon network        region, a generate reports region, a communication region, an        alert region, and an system parameters region.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method ofproviding information about airport operations, comprising:

-   -   providing a combined airport feeds user interface comprising a        data feeds region, a system management region, and at least one        additional region;    -   displaying airport data feed information in said data feeds        region, wherein said airport data feed information is generated        by a travel operations display system that comprises (i) a        centralized data collection node that receives the real-time        airport data feeds, (ii) a data decoupling module for scrubbing        the received data of the real-time airport feeds, coding the        scrubbed data, and validating the coded data, and (iii) a        central control node for monitoring and controlling the travel        operations display system;    -   displaying system management information in said system        management region, wherein said system management information is        generated by the travel operations display system; and    -   displaying additional information in said at least one        additional region, wherein said additional information is        selected from relational database information, remote display        information, customer/passenger mobile devices information,        emergency management information, archive information, beacon        network information, generating reports information,        communication information, alert information, and system        parameter information.

In yet another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a traveloperations display system, having:

-   -   a centralized data collection node that receives real-time or        near real-time data feeds from multiple combined airport and        external systems;    -   a data decoupling module for scrubbing received data, coding        scrubbed data, and validating coded output data; and    -   a central control node for monitoring and controlling the        real-time data feeds, database management, data decoupling and        output selection, device detection feedback, output data feed        distribution to a display device, and the updating of output        data feeds for repurposing a display device.

In certain aspects, the travel operations display system also includesan output selection module for creating a plurality of filtered specialpurpose output data feeds, a device detection feedback module formodifying and updating the output selection module, an outputdistribution module for distributing each filtered special purposeoutput data feeds to special purpose output data display device; and adisplay reconfiguration module for updating each filtered specialpurpose output data feed and for re-purposing the filtered specialpurpose output data feed to include a second selection of real-time datafeeds different from the original selection of real-time data feeds.

In a preferred embodiment, the real-time data feeds comprise an airlinedata feed, a baggage control data feed, a TSA data feed, a weather datafeed, a transportation data feed, a public safety data feed, a gateinformation data feed, and an airport vendor data feed.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method ofproviding media content to a plurality of displays in an airport,comprising:

-   -   receiving real-time data feeds from multiple airport systems        into a centralized data collection node;    -   scrubbing received data, coding scrubbed data, and validating        coded output data, using a data decoupling module;    -   creating a plurality of filtered special purpose output data        feeds, using an output selection module;    -   modifying and updating the output selection module, using a        device detection feedback module;    -   distributing each filtered special purpose output data feeds to        special purpose output data display device, using an output        distribution module;    -   updating each filtered special purpose output data feed and        re-purposing the filtered special purpose output data feed to        include a second selection of real-time data feeds different        from the original selection of real-time data feeds, using a        display reconfiguration module; and    -   monitoring and controlling the real-time data feeds, database        management, data decoupling and output selection, device        detection feedback, output data feed distribution to a display        device, and the updating of output data feeds for repurposing        the plurality of displays in an airport, using a central control        node.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method ofproviding media content to a smartphone of a passenger in an airport,comprising:

-   -   receiving real-time data feeds from multiple airport systems        into a centralized data collection node;    -   scrubbing received data, coding scrubbed data, and validating        coded output data, using a data decoupling module;    -   creating a plurality of filtered special purpose output data        feeds, using an output selection module;    -   modifying and updating the output selection module, using a        device detection feedback module;    -   distributing each filtered special purpose output data feeds to        the smartphone, using an output distribution module;    -   updating each filtered special purpose output data feed and        re-purposing the filtered special purpose output data feed to        include a second selection of real-time data feeds different        from the original selection of real-time data feeds, using a        display reconfiguration module; and    -   monitoring and controlling the real-time data feeds, database        management, data decoupling and output selection, device        detection feedback, output data feed distribution to the        smartphone, and the updating of output data feeds for        repurposing the smartphone, using a central control node.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a system forproviding a system that allows an airline to remotely access the statusand settings of a remote travel operations display system via theInternet, the system comprising:

-   -   a web server connected to the Internet, the web server is        programmed to access the remote travel operations display system        and has a data storage device, a connection to the Internet to        communicate with the airline, and a messaging gateway coupled to        a network to communicate with the remote travel operations        display system, at least one remote access module is connected        to the remote travel operations display system, the remote        access module has a digital interface coupled to the remote        travel operations display system and a communications module to        communicate with the web server via the network, and the        messaging gateway, and an internet device is connected to the        internet to allow the airline to communicate with the web        server, wherein the airline can remotely access and control the        remote travel operations display system via the web server.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method ofproviding a system that allows an airline to remotely access the statusand settings of a remote travel operations display system via theInternet, the method comprising the steps of:

-   -   providing a web server connected to the Internet, wherein the        web server is programmed to access the remote travel operations        display system, wherein the web server has a data storage        device, a connection to the Internet to communicate with the        airline, and a messaging gateway coupled to a network to        communicate with the remote travel operations display system;    -   providing at least one remote access module that is connected to        the remote travel operations display system, the remote access        module having a digital interface coupled to the remote travel        operations display system and a communications module to        communicate with the web server via the network, and the        messaging gateway; and    -   providing an internet device is connected to the internet to        allow the airline to communicate with the web server, wherein        the airline can remotely access and control the remote travel        operations display system via the web server.

In another preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a method ofremotely updating a travel operations display system via the Internet,comprising the steps:

-   -   accessing the travel operations display system at a remote        airport location, via the Internet;    -   providing updated airline information to the remote travel        operations display system;    -   wherein the updated airline information is received into a        centralized data collection node;    -   wherein a data decoupling module scrubs the received updated        airline information, codes the scrubbed data, and validates the        coded output data;    -   wherein an output selection module creates a special purpose        output data feed,    -   wherein a device detection feedback module modifies and updates        the output selection module,    -   wherein an output distribution module distributes the special        purpose output data to a special purpose output data display        device;    -   wherein a central control node monitors and controls the updated        airline information, the database management, the data        decoupling and output selection, the device detection feedback,        and the output data feed distribution to a display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a graphic showing typical flight information as displayed at amodern airport.

FIG. 2 is a graphic flowchart illustrating real-time data feeds frommultiple airport systems logically connected to a central datacollection node equipped with database storage and maintenance tools,and with a data decoupling module for processing and converting thereal-time data feeds and distributing the filtered device-modifiedspecial purpose output data feed to displays and user equipment.

FIG. 3 is a graphic flowchart showing process flow for real-time datafeeds from multiple airport systems logically connected to a centraldata collection node equipped with database storage and maintenancetools, and with a data decoupling module for processing and convertingthe real-time data feeds and distributing the filtered device-modifiedspecial purpose output data feed to displays and user equipment.

FIG. 4 is a graphic flowchart illustrating the central control node formonitoring and controlling the real-time data feeds, databasemanagement, data decoupling and output selection, device detectionfeedback, output data feed distribution to a display device, and theupdating of output data feeds for repurposing a display device.

FIG. 5 is a graphic of a display illustrating a possible re-purposed useof one part of the display “real estate” centrally distributed foradvertising use, and centrally distributed with one or more a QR codes.

FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of a smartphone screen showing aVirtual Wayfinder application providing re-aggregated filtereddevice-modified special purpose output data relating to flight time,flight status, gate information, gate status, georeferencinginformation, vendor information, and subscriber/member information.

FIG. 7 is a graphic representation of a smartphone screen showingre-aggregated filtered device-modified special purpose output datarelating to geo-tagged transportation/parking information, gate status,flight status, TSA checkpoint status, vendor options, flightinformation, weather information, and in-flight options and information.

FIG. 8 is a graphic flowchart of a flight information current statediagram and illustrates a five-layer logic diagram comprising sourceprovider layer, data tier layer, integration tier layer, business tierlayer, and presentation tier layer, and shows the logicalinterconnection of feed sources that use ftp into DB servers that reportto a secure AWS server along with a Heroku db and server and FireBase dband server with Heroku connection to a FlightStats db and server.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart diagram illustrating centralized control ofinformation from the data feeds through the decoupling, coding, andvalidating process to create the new data structures and centralizedcontrol of the database storage, querying, collection, optimization, andtransmission processes.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart diagram illustrating how an authenticated andverified user device can be located within a facility including positionand direction, and how a personalized wayfinder system of the presentinvention can generate and transmit to the user device a real-timeupdated architectural graphic rendering of the user's location withinthe facility from the user's viewpoint and/or from a bird's-eye view andhow the wayfinder system integrates user-centric travel-relatedinformation into the graphic rendering being provided to the userdevice, while providing the network with updated user location or otherinformation.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart diagram illustrating how advertising activityusing a VPN-integrated or web-integrated advertising database canreceive system user traffic information from a central node or NOC,which can then insert video-, audio-, or text-based advertisements intoend-point user-facing display devices through appropriate networkinterfaces, and which uses the digital input from the processed datastreams to update and/or tailor user-facing advertising or publicservice announcements.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram illustrating another embodiment of how anauthenticated and verified user device can be located within a facilityincluding position and direction, e.g. starting with a parking garage orlot, can offer information to the user such as parking, baggage, gate,security, airline, and vendors, and how a personalized graphic summaryor wayfinder system of the present invention can generate and transmitto the user device a real-time updated graphic summary of the user'slocation within the facility and how the wayfinder system integratesuser-centric travel-related information into the graphic rendering beingprovided to the user device, while providing the network with updateduser location or other information.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart diagram illustrating centralized control of thesystem from receipt of the external data feeds, to creating and updatinga travel system database, to identifying the target output devices andcreating device-specific output data, to transmitting to the targetdevice(s).

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing control node/computer receivingexternal data feeds, decoupling such feeds by mapping and extracting,validating the decoupled data by verifying and cleaning, loading intothe relational database, and generating a combined airport feeds userinterface (CAFUI) for centralizing monitoring of the system, managementof the system, and/or reporting on the system.

FIG. 15 shows a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a combinedairport feeds user interface (CAFUI) according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described more fully with reference tothe accompanying drawings, in which several embodiments of the inventionare shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in various forms andshould not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forthherein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosurewill be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of theinvention to those skilled in the art.

It will be appreciated that the present disclosure may be embodied asmethods, systems, or computer program products. Accordingly, the presentinventive concepts disclosed herein may take the form of a hardwareembodiment, a software embodiment or an embodiment combining softwareand hardware aspects. Furthermore, the present inventive conceptsdisclosed herein may take the form of a computer program product on acomputer readable storage medium having non-transitory computer usableprogram code embodied in the medium. Any suitable computer readablemedium may be utilized including hard disks, CD-ROMs, optical storagedevices, flash memories, or magnetic storage devices.

Computer program code or software programs that are operated upon or forcarrying out operations according to the teachings of the invention maybe written in a high level programming language such as C, C++, JAVA®,Smalltalk, JavaScript®, Visual Basic®, TSQL, Python, Ruby, Perl, use of.NET™ Framework, Visual Studio® or in various other programminglanguages. Software programs may also be written directly in a nativeassembler language for a target processor. A native assembler programuses instruction mnemonic representations of machine level binaryinstructions. Program code or computer readable medium as used hereinrefers to code whose format is understandable by a processor. Softwareembodiments of the disclosure do not depend upon their implementationwith a particular programming language.

Overview—Travel Operations Display System

In a preferred embodiment, the invention comprises a system forcentralized management and distribution of content media, also referredto herein as a travel operations display system, having a centralizeddata collection node that receives real-time data feeds from multipleairport systems, a data decoupling module for scrubbing received data,coding scrubbed data, and validating coded output data, an outputselection module for creating a plurality of filtered special purposeoutput data feeds, and a central control node for monitoring andcontrolling the real-time data feeds, database management, datadecoupling and output selection, device detection feedback, output datafeed distribution to a display device, and the updating of output datafeeds for repurposing a display device.

The system may also include a device detection feedback module formodifying and updating the output selection module, an outputdistribution module for distributing each filtered special purposeoutput data feeds to special purpose output data display device, and adisplay reconfiguration module for updating each filtered specialpurpose output data feed and for re-purposing the filtered specialpurpose output data feed to include a second selection of real-time datafeeds different from the original selection of real-time data feeds.

Overview—Airline Remote Access System

In another preferred embodiment, there is provided a system that allowsan airline to remotely access the status and settings of a remote traveloperations display system via the Internet, the system comprising, a webserver connected to the Internet, the web server is programmed to accessthe remote travel operations display system and has a data storagedevice, a connection to the Internet to communicate with the airline,and a messaging gateway coupled to a network to communicate with theremote travel operations display system, at least one remote accessmodule is connected to the remote travel operations display system, theremote access module has a digital interface coupled to the remotetravel operations display system and a communications module tocommunicate with the web server via the network, and the messaginggateway, and an internet device is connected to the internet to allowthe airline to communicate with the web server, wherein the airline canremotely access and control the remote travel operations display systemvia the web server.

Data Processing

Aggregating data from multiple data feed sources requires the data fromeach data feed is processed. Processing as defined herein includes thevalidation, sorting, summarization, aggregation, analysis, reporting,and classification. Validation as used herein is the process of ensuringthat the real-time data feeds and the special purpose output data feedsare without errors and are accurate. Sorting as defined herein arrangesreal-time data feeds into sets and sequences. Summarization as definedherein distills real-time data feeds into pre-selected main categories,and can use tagging as a method to modify real-time data feeds andcreate the special purpose output data feeds. Aggregation as definedherein is the combining of the tagged, distilled, sorted, and validateddata into new groups. Analysis as defined herein is the combined processof collecting, organizing, analyzing, interpreting, and presenting thedata. Reporting as defined herein is the creation of a summary of theprocessed data, the special purpose output data feeds. Classification asdefined herein is the separating of the real-time data feeds and thespecial purpose output data feeds into various categories.

Types of Real-Time Data Feeds

In preferred aspects, the real-time data feeds include an airline datafeed, a baggage control data feed, a TSA data feed, a weather data feed,a ground transportation data feed, a public safety data feed, a gateinformation data feed, and an airport vendor data feed.

Airline Data Feed is received directly from airlines but may also bereceived from flight data feed vendors. Airline and flight data includesflight number, destination airport, departure airport, flight arrivaland departure time, and flight status. Airline data feed may alsoinclude aircraft position (lat/long), altitude, ground speed, heading,aircraft ID and registration, and timestamp.

Baggage Control Feed is received from the Baggage Operation at theairport and includes baggage claim data, bag identification serialnumber or RFID code, TSA conveyor belt checking system data, number ofbags on a flight, baggage transfer data—direct to plane or standardsort, lost baggage data, connecting flight data, departure timer,departure airport ID, destination ID, special handling data, missing bagalert data, and so forth. Improvements in on-time flight performance atairlines is often driven by baggage reliability, and vice versa. Ifflights arrive on-time, handlers have a better chance of connecting bagsto the next flight. Accordingly, airports have a vested interest inmoving bags faster from the curb to the airplane baggage compartment,and then to the baggage claim area. In 2013, airlines mishandled 21.8million bags, or 6.96 per 1,000 passengers, according to SITA.Repatriating delayed or lost luggage to passengers cost an average of$100 per bag. In 2013, the rate of mishandled baggage in the U.S. astracked by the Transportation Department was 3.22 for every 1,000passengers.

TSA Data feed includes baggage scanning data, passenger scanning data,personnel data for each flight, security level and threat assessmentdata, name and biometric information of restricted passengers,flight-specific data, and event-driven situational data.

Weather Data Feed includes destination and departure weather data,weather data for connecting flights and weather data for bottle-neckairports.

Ground Transportation Feed includes public transportation data, parkingdeck data, private for-hire transportation data, airport trafficaccident data, and local traffic data.

Public Safety Feed includes fire department data, medical emergencydata, police department data, and any feeds involving natural disaster,and other dangerous or emergency situations.

Gate Information Feed includes flight status data, flight number,arrival and departure data, gate change data, passenger seating data,upgrade data, standby data, flight cancellation data, passenger missedflight data, carry-on baggage data, and passenger assistance data.

Airport Vendor Feed includes vendor location, vendor name, type ofvendor, hours of operation, vendor marketing request data, and so forth.

Tower and tarmac feed includes flight number, runway data, gate statusdata, maintenance data, fuel data, catering transportation data, baggagetransfer data, emergency data, and so forth.

Feed Formats & Transmission

As will be appreciated by a person of ordinary skill in the art, thetravel operations display system also functions as a clearinghouse formedia content received from multiple providers as digital packets ofstreaming content, pre-recorded content, or static content. In preferredaspects, the content is MPEG encoded depending on the type of content.Physical delivery of the content to displays and user equipment iscontemplated to be via wired and wireless technologies, including butnot limited to Ethernet, coaxial cable, twisted pair copper cabling,POTS, WiFi, Ultra-Wide Band, 3G, 4G, LTE, LTE Advanced, Bluetooth,Satellite bands, and NFC. Those of ordinary skill in the art willappreciate that various communication protocols for data transfer may beused such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)protocols (TCP, FTP and UDP). The specific protocols chosen will dependupon the design requirements for a given system. Encryption anddecryption techniques are contemplated for protecting the distributionand access of the media and data streams.

Database

As defined herein the collection of data in the database is managed by adatabase management system to allow the definition, creation, querying,updating, and administration of the database. Well known systems thatsupport relational and post-relational models include MySQL, PostgreSQL,MS-SQL Server, Oracle, Sybase, IBM DB2, and XML db systems such asNoSQL, NewSQL.

Existing DBMSs provide various functions for managing a database and itsdata which can be classified into four main functions:

Data definition—Creation, modification and removal of definitions thatdefine the organization of the data.

Update—Insertion, modification, and deletion of the actual data.

Retrieval—Providing information in a form directly usable or for furtherprocessing by other applications. The retrieved data may be madeavailable in a form basically the same as it is stored in the databaseor in a new form obtained by altering or combining existing data fromthe database.

Administration—Registering and monitoring users, enforcing datasecurity, monitoring performance, maintaining data integrity, dealingwith concurrency control, and recovering information that has beencorrupted by some event such as an unexpected system failure.

Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)

In a preferred aspect, the invention uses an application programminginterface (API) architecture to define the programmable interfacesthrough which the travel operations display system interacts withapplications that use its assets. This allows the programmableinterfaces to provide different sets of services to differentapplication serving different types of consumers. The API disclosedherein uses custom library code in order to provide reusable modulesthat are determined based upon the user interface that is accessing thelibrary. These precoded modules allow application-specific access to thedatabase that contains the real-time data feeds from multiple airportsystems that has been converted into the device-modified special purposeoutput data feed for distribution to airport displays and userequipment.

In a preferred aspect, the API architecture includes an end usercomponent that interacts with a client applications component where theclient applications component connects to and leverages a core APIinfrastructure. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the coreAPI infrastructure includes a security layer that interfaces with acaching layer, a representation layer connected to the caching layer, anorchestration layer between the representation layer and the APIimplementation layer, and a backend layer interfacing with the APIimplementation layer.

Digital Signage

As defined herein, digital signage refers to the use of small and largecomputer screens to display still and moving media having differentinformation scheduled at various times and capable of being updatedremotely. Examples of computer screens include projectors, LCD and LEDmonitors, touch screens, touch screen overlays, multi-touch screens,kiosks, plasma screens, window films, and equivalent technology. Theoutput feed received from the travel operations display system can bepresented on the computer screens using standard presentation graphicssoftware. Examples of presentation graphics software includes MicrosoftPowerPoint, OpenOffice and LibreOffice presentation software, MS Mediaplayer, built-in media players such as Optoma's SignShow, JVC'sTV-TOLLS, and Samsung's MagicInfo, and media player software andequipment from LG, Mitsubishi, NEC, Panasonic, Philips, Sharp, Sony, andViewSonic, and interactive media players such a CAYIN technology. It isalso contemplated as within the scope of the invention to usemulti-mount screens using two or more adjacent screens to create adisplay.

Airline Remote Access System Detail

A remote access and control system enabling an airline to remotelyaccess a remote travel operations display system. Access system providesthe airline with one or more ways to connect to and to communicate withweb server running a computer program to send commands to and receiveinformation from remote travel operations display system through aremote access module. Each remote access module can control one or moreremote travel operations display system at each location. The airlinecan register, setup notifications, and or access and control at leastone remote travel operations display system via access system. Airlinespecific login and configuration information, including remote traveloperations display system locations, and detailed instructioninformation about each system, including optional notifications, can bestored as airline data. The airline data can be stored on Web Server,typically via data storage element as an airline profile. The airlineprofile can be stored in a variety of data structures such as in one ormore relational databases stored on data storage element, or some othercompatible computer storage media accessible by web server. Onceregistered, an airline can remotely access remote travel operationsdisplay system in multiple locations by connecting to web server. Theairline can connect to web server by one of several different connectmethods, such as via the Internet or through a telephone system.

Connection to web server through the Internet can be accomplished inseveral ways. an airline can connect to web server using a personalcomputer (“PC”), including an IBM compatible machine, such as thoseusing an INTEL, AMD, or similar processor as well as by computersrunning another operating system (“OS”), such as an APPLE compatible OS.Any suitable PC or terminal can also connect to the internet by awireless network such as an IEEE 802.11 type WiFi or 802.15/16 WiMaxconnection or a hardwired local area connection (“LAN”). Other suitableconnections can be made by the airline using an internet enabled cellphone with web browser connecting to the Internet through a cellularnetwork or a PDA with cellular, wireless, or wired access to theInternet.

An airline can also connect to web server from the telephone network.The airline can use a cell phone to connect to telephone network viawireless cellular connection.

Web server can communicate with a plurality of remote travel operationsdisplay systems at one or more locations via messaging gateway.Messaging gateway can communicate with wireless system via the internetor by a direct connection such as by Ethernet. Wireless system can thenconnect with a communications module associated with a particular remotetravel operations display system.

Registration: Before using system, an airline typically registers forthe remote access service. An airline inputs information into the systemduring registration to build an airline profile. The airline profile caninclude a username, access code, location information, systeminformation, and information on the various remote travel operationsdisplay systems. Where notifications are used, the profile can furtherinclude notifications tables.

Interaction via the Web: Once registered, the airline can login from anyweb browser, anywhere there is access to the World Wide Web (“web”),typically through the Internet. First, the consumer does a login to webserver 108. On successful login to web server 108, in step B, theconsumer gains access to the comfort systems at a remote location. Instep C, the consumer can request the current status and settings for anycomfort system at the remote location. The status and settings are thenreturned for the equipment at that location and those settings aredisplayed on one or more web pages for consumer viewing in step D. Instep E, the consumer can optionally adjust the settings. In step F, theconsumer logs out or otherwise disconnects from web server 108.

Notifications: It can be desirable for remote travel operations displaysystems to notify concerned or responsible parties of system status,system events, alarms, trips, and various other failures. Thesenotifications can be routine, as in a periodic status update of readingsand settings. A routine notification is typically something that doesnot require immediate attention or action. Or, a notification can beurgent. An urgent notification generally requires immediate attention.

Remote access module constantly monitors the state of the airline'sremote travel operations display system. A routine or urgentnotification can be detected by remote access module. Remote accessmodule can send the notification to web server using communicationsmodule, a 2-way paging module in one embodiment, communicating viacommunications network to messaging gateway. Messaging gateway sends thenotification to web server. Web server determines if the notification isroutine or urgent and then can consult a notification table to determinewhich access methods should be invoked to deliver the notification toone or more designation recipients including, but not limited to, theairline, or one or more alternate contacts. Web server can use an emailprotocol to send a notification by an email service, to a text pager viaa text pager network, or to directly send an email to an email addressvia a network such as the Internet.

Beacons/Sensors

The NOC, remote displays, remote computers and remote beacons forcommunication with passenger mobile devices may be implemented in asingle processor or multiple processors. Beacons are located through afacility to maintain network contact with mobile devices. Multipleprocessors can be distributed or centrally located. Multiple processorscan communicate wirelessly, via hard wire, or any combination thereof.

Beacon units include an antenna, electronics, e.g. LNA,oscillator/bandwidth modulator, optional signal processing, a processor,a memory, and an input/output. The processor unit, memory, andinput/output are coupled together to allow communication among eachother. The input/output is capable of receiving beacon registrationinformation from the NOC, beacon data, beacon pull requests, systemconfiguration commands, database queries and database record updates.The input/output is also capable of sending reports, beacon data anddatabase record data to the NOC.

FIGURES

Referring now to the Figures, FIG. 1 is a graphic showing typical flightinformation as displayed at a modern airport. FIG. 1 shows how currentdisplays are static, generally non-reprogrammable, and are limited tothe data feeds defined at deployment.

FIG. 2 is a graphic flowchart illustrating real-time data feeds frommultiple airport systems logically connected to a central datacollection node equipped with database storage and maintenance tools,and with a data decoupling module for processing and converting thereal-time data feeds and distributing the filtered device-modifiedspecial purpose output data feed to displays and user equipment. FIG. 2shows how the disparate data feeds have been aggregated, and convertedto device-based feeds.

Input feed types 100 may include one or more external data streams orfeeds. In one embodiment, the feeds include airline feed data 101,check-in feed data 102, baggage feed data 103, terminal specific feeddata 104, public safety feed data 105, passenger screening feed data106, weather feed data 107, television feed data 108, gate informationfeed data 109, vendor feed data 110, transportation feed data 111, airtraffic control feed data 112, conveyance monitoring feed data 113, andother related data.

The airline feed data 101 received from an airline includes arrival anddeparture data 121 directly from the airline and formatted as receivedfrom the airline. This external airline feed data is structured andtransmitted in a secured and/or proprietary format appropriate for thesecure and timely delivery of airline data to an airport, and as such,needs to be mapped (M) and extracted (E), re-coded (C), and validated(V) before the data is transmitted as MECV airline data to the DataRepository 141.

The check-in feed data 102 received from the airline check-in deskincludes gate information 122 from the airline or a proxy. This externalcheck-in feed data is structured and transmitted in a secured and/orproprietary format appropriate for the secure and timely delivery ofcheck-in data to airport systems, airlines, and related parties, and assuch, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded, and validated before thedata is transmitted as MECV check-in data to the Data Repository 141.

The baggage feed data 103 received from the airport baggage systemincludes baggage location and belt information 123 from the airportbaggage system or a proxy. This baggage data may include bothairport-generated data, airline information, law enforcement informationrelating to TSA lists, other federal agency information such as DEA(drugs), FDA (foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals, etc.), Treasury (currency),ATF (firearms, etc.), and may also include similar parallel Stategovernment or law enforcement data. This external baggage feed data isstructured and transmitted in a secured and/or proprietary formatappropriate for the secure and timely delivery of baggage data toairport systems, airlines, and related parties, and as such, needs to bemapped, extracted, re-coded, and validated before the data istransmitted as MECV baggage data to the Data Repository 141.

The terminal-specific feed data 104 received from the airport terminalsystem includes concessions and amenities information 124 from theairport terminal system or a proxy. This external terminal-specific feeddata is structured and transmitted in a secured and/or proprietaryformat appropriate for the secure and timely delivery of concessions andamenities information to airport systems, airlines, and related parties,and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded, and validatedbefore the data is transmitted as MECV terminal-specific data to theData Repository 141.

The public safety feed data 105 received from the airport public safetysystem includes real-time emergency notification information 125 fromthe airport public safety system, first responder system, or a proxy.This external public safety feed data is structured and transmitted in asecured and/or proprietary format appropriate for the secure and timelydelivery of public safety data to airport systems, airlines, and relatedparties, and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded, andvalidated before the data is transmitted as MECV public safety data tothe Data Repository 141.

The passenger screening feed data 106 received from the airportpassenger screening system includes wait time information 126 from theairport passenger screening system or a proxy. This passenger screeningdata includes external passenger screening data such as TSA no-fly listdata, federal or State judicial information for wanted persons orfugitives, federal or State law-enforcement data relating tochild-safety alerts, immigration, customs, taxation, and so forth. Thisexternal passenger screening feed data is structured and transmitted ina secured and/or proprietary format appropriate for the secure andtimely delivery of passenger screening data to airport systems,airlines, and related parties, and as such, needs to be mapped,extracted, re-coded, and validated before the data is transmitted asMECV passenger screening data to the Data Repository 141.

The weather feed data 107 received from the airport weather systemincludes current destination weather information 127 from the airportweather system or a proxy. This external weather feed data is structuredand transmitted in a secured and/or proprietary format appropriate forthe secure and timely delivery of weather data to airport systems,airlines, and related parties, and as such, needs to be s mapped,extracted, re-coded, and validated before the data is transmitted asMECV weather data to the Data Repository 141.

The television feed data 108 received from the airport televisioncontrol system includes broadcast channels and information 128 from theairport television control system or a proxy. This external televisionfeed data is structured and transmitted in a secured and/or proprietaryformat appropriate for the secure and timely delivery of television datato airport systems, airlines, and related parties, and as such, needs tobe s mapped, extracted, re-coded, and validated before the data istransmitted as MECV television data to the Data Repository 141.

The gate information feed data 109 received from the airport gateinformation system includes gate location information 129 from theairport gate information system or a proxy. This gate information dataincludes airline/airport gate assignments, gate changes, gatemaintenance, jetway data, air travel delay data, passenger secondaryverification and screening data, excess baggage data, carry-on baggagedata, disabled passenger data (wheelchair, chaperone, carting), andspecial need passenger data (unaccompanied minor). This external gateinformation feed data is structured and transmitted in a secured and/orproprietary format appropriate for the secure and timely delivery ofgate information data to airport systems, airlines, and related parties,and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded, and validatedbefore the data is transmitted as MECV gate data to the Data Repository141.

The vendor feed data 110 received from the airport vendor systemincludes passenger services and advertising information 130 from theairport vendor system or a proxy. This external vendor feed data isstructured and transmitted in a secured and/or proprietary formatappropriate for the secure and timely delivery of vendor data to airportsystems, airlines, and related parties, and as such, needs to be smapped, extracted, re-coded, and validated before the data istransmitted as MECV vendor data to the Data Repository 140.

The transportation feed data 111 received from the airporttransportation system includes parking, bus, taxi, and subway/railinformation 131 from the airport transportation system or a proxy. Thisexternal transportation feed data is structured and transmitted in asecured and/or proprietary format appropriate for the secure and timelydelivery of transportation data to airport systems, airlines, andrelated parties, and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded,and validated before the data is transmitted as MECV transportation datato the Data Repository 141.

The air traffic control feed data 112 received from the airport airtraffic control system includes airport status information 132 from theair traffic control system or a proxy. This air traffic control data mayinclude airborne air traffic data, ground/runway data, ground crew andground equipment data, jetway data, aircraft re-fuelling data, aircraftre-supply data, weather data, entire air travel system data, and soforth. This external air traffic feed data is structured and transmittedin a secured and/or proprietary format appropriate for the secure andtimely delivery of baggage data to airport systems, airlines, andrelated parties, and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded,and validated before the data is transmitted as MECV air traffic controldata to the Data Repository 141.

The conveyance monitoring feed 113 received from the airport passengerconveyance system includes elevator, escalator, jetway, and walkwayinformation 133 from the airport conveyance system or a proxy. Thisexternal conveyance monitoring feed data is structured and transmittedin a secured and/or proprietary format appropriate for the secure andtimely delivery of baggage data to airport systems, airlines, andrelated parties, and as such, needs to be mapped, extracted, re-coded,and validated before the data is transmitted as MECV conveyance data tothe Data Repository 141.

The data repository 141 in FIG. 2 provides the downstream output 150data that is delivered to the downstream output devices. These devicesinclude displays 151, Smart Phones 152, Tablets and Laptops 153, anddesktop computers 154. Using a handshake protocol, when a downstreamoutput device connects to the system, the type of device is queried, andthe result is saved at the data repository level 140/141 to a user'sprofile. The device type is assigned to the user profile during thataccess session and the MECV data drawn from the data repository 141 isfiltered to provide the user with the data appropriate to theiruse/request. Repository Data Filters include filtering according to auser access privilege/security level filter, a user type-of-data requestfilter, data timeliness/priority filter, and so forth.

Where a device is, for example, an airport video display device 151, thecontrol center/node can assign a specific real-time selection data tothe pushed out to the display. Beyond displaying departure times orbaggage pickup areas, remote displays connected to the data repositoryof the present invention become Smart Remote Displays (SRDs) that areautomatically updated according to the passengers/users that are locatednear the display. By using a unified database system with mapped,extracted, coded, and validated data, an SRD will be modified dependingon which passengers are arriving near that display device, and whichones are departing near that display device. This level of customizationand geolocation of users provides real-time updating of gateinformation, real-time baggage advice, real-time vendor and concessionmarketing and advertising, real-time safety or detour information,real-time weather advice, real-time transportation coordination, andreal-time airport conveyance allocation.

In a specific example, a passenger's Smart Phone is registered to thearriving airport system as the passenger deplanes and walks down thejetway. The passenger may have opted for a setting in their Smart Phoneapplication that sends an automated text to family members notifying oftheir arrival. The airport system will register the arrival of thepassenger and notify any connecting flights of their arrival by savingan update to the data repository and sending reports to airline and gatepersonnel. Internal airport conveyancing, e.g. escalator, wheelchair, orelectric shuttle cart, is allocated to optimize the delivery of thepassenger from point A to point B. Transportation is notified of theupdate and receives a real-time action-item report. Vendors concessions,and amenities tools can tailor food, convenience, or shopping optionsalong the passenger's airport route. The passenger's Smart Phone appwill generate a navigation screen to welcome the user, and provide localinformation. Using passenger specific data combined with airportspecific data, the travel operations display system will generate andtransmit for display a graphical way-finding navigation aid to assistthe passenger with this aspect of their journey. This includes providinginformation about a connecting flight, providing direction to the coffeeshop nearest their gate, providing direction to the nearest toilet,providing directions to the nearest toy store or gift shop, providingdirections to the nearest private lounge or massage chair stand,providing information regarding a limousine or taxi, or providingdirections for exiting the airport with baggage pickup andtransportation pre-arranged.

Additionally, to optimize airport revenue, targeted advertising can bepushed out to the Smart Remote Displays, to the specific customers thatan advertising entity has identified as being in their target profile ormarket. The added benefit of higher airport throughput, combined withless wasted blanket advertising, provides an efficiency not availablebefore the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a graphic flowchart showing process flow for real-time datafeeds from multiple airport systems logically connected to a centraldata collection node equipped with database storage and maintenancetools, and with a data decoupling module for processing and convertingthe real-time data feeds and distributing the filtered device-modifiedspecial purpose output data feed to displays and user equipment.

Input feeds 100 are shown in this process being directed (input) to acentralized collection 141, e.g. data repository. The next step showshow the input data scrubbing process 142, is followed by a datacoding/tagging step, and then by a data validation 143 step, to form themapping, extraction, coding, and validation (MECV) subprocess. After theMECV subprocessing of the external data, unified and re-purposed MECVdata is then selected and filtered using an intermediary devicedetection and handshake protocol to determine the appropriate data tooutput to each connected device, e.g. filtering by user accessprivilege/security level filter, a user type-of-data request filter,data timeliness/priority filter, and so forth, to display 151,smartphone 152, tablet/laptop 153 and/or desktop computer 154.

FIG. 4 is a graphic flowchart illustrating the central control node formonitoring and controlling the real-time data feeds, databasemanagement, data decoupling and output selection, device detectionfeedback, output data feed distribution to a display device, and theupdating of output data feeds for repurposing a display device.

Data feeds 100 are shown feeding into database server 140 to convertexternal data into mapped, extracted, coded, and validated (MECV) data.External data feeds 100 represent heterogeneous data sources thatrequire specific ontologies to resolve the semantic conflicts inherentin the data sources. Server 140 is used to detect the format of theincoming external data feeds 100, and to convert and validate the datainto a data structure useable by the inventive system and processes.External data feeds 100 as source data will necessarily includevariables specific to the originating source, including for examplehardware standards (Variable 1, Var1), operating system data handlingstandards and file handling standards (Variable 2, Var2), andprogram/application handling standards (Variable 3, Var3).

Server 140 feeds into Reconfigurable Relational Database (RRDB) 148 toachieve data integration processes necessary for the present invention.Data integration processes for periodically taking data fromheterogenous sources and loading into one or more target database(s)include the steps of: (1) data mapping; (2) code generation to createand/or update transformation programs to extract and load the targetrecord data; (3) verification, which includes the sub-processes ofchecking the accuracy of translation, checking the completeness of thetranslation, and checking to ensure that the loaded data is supported inthe new system; and (4) cleaning, which can include the subprocesses ofchecking compliance with Quality of Data standards, eliminatingredundant data, removing obsolete data, and matching the new datastructure requirements for the data at the target/destination/DB.

Also contemplated within the scope of the invention, as an alternativeor partial process alternative to a Data Integration Conversion programor Master Data Recast program, is the conversion to an intermediate dataformat such as tab delimited text files or common separated text fileswith subsequent export to the target format.

Reconfigurable Relational DB 148 uses standard Data Markup Language(DML) database programs includes Sybase, MySQL, DB2, SQL server, andOracle. It is also contemplated as within the scope of the invention touse a Data Hub and/or a Data Lake approach in place of structuredrelational data warehouse approaches. Also, data integration isillustrated using a single DB server and a single relational DB.However, in practice, data integration solutions commonly use multipleforms of virtualization, including virtual servers and virtualdatabases, which are contemplated as within the scope of the invention.The use of adapters, software applications, and recasting to tag or wrapdata and data sources provides a solution to the problems arising fromheterogeneous sources. Data virtualization and data federalizationprovide the user the ability to handle data from disparate sources.

Central Control Node (CCN) 160 is used by the database administrator.Database tools and utilities within the CCN 160 allows the administratorto configure and manage the DB 148. Database parameters may includespecifying the path of an input file, adding system identifiers,identifying port numbers for listener servicing, assigning hostname forthe DB, user names and passwords, scheduling, mail and notificationcontrol, connecting and configuration of networks, servers, and hosts,upgrading software and features, restoring files and databaseinformation, library location, virtualization configuration,virtualization management, virtualization information, reportingrequirements, and so forth. Additionally the CCN 160 provides additionalconfiguration control, including type, size and capability of thecomputing engine, persistance parameters, encryption, input and outputparameters, latency, load balancing, OS support, compliance, security,maintenance, billing, autoboot backup take-over in case of failure, andthe like.

Remote access 201 includes a secure off-site desktop, laptop, tablet, orsmart device that provides an administrator with access to control andmanage the CCN 160.

Virtual Private Network (VPN) 202 is optionally connected in somepreferred embodiments to the CCN 160 to address some of thevirtualization needs of the system.

Output from the inventive system is then delivered to external targetdevices with distribution according to the specific target destinationdevice. In the example of a smartphone, connection is through a cellularnetwork such as the LTE (Long term Evolution) Evolved Packet Core (EPC)and the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN) 301which uses radio towers 302 to carry allotted signals to the smartphone401. In another example contemplated as within the scope of theinvention, distributed connection is by way of a wireless router (WiFi)303 and is used to connect either a smartphone 401 or a WiFi (orBluetooth or similar) device or tablet 402. In yet another examplecontemplated as within the scope of the invention a remote display 404is connected, by wire or wirelessly, to receive the output data.

FIG. 5 is a graphic of a remote display 404 illustrating a possiblere-purposed use of one part of the display “real estate” centrallydistributed for advertising use 501, and centrally distributed with oneor more a QR codes 502. As stated above, electronic real-time control ofeach display's real-estate, that is driven by specific passenger leveldata analytics, and used to optimize airport revenue by sending targetedadvertising that is pushed out to the Smart Remote Displays near thepassengers arrival or departure gate has not been available. Where anadvertising entity has identified specific customer classes or evenspecific customers as being in their target profile or market, airportsare provided with the added benefit of higher airport advertisingrevenues while increasing airport passenger throughput, and Advertisersreceive less wasted blanket advertising.

FIG. 6 is a graphic representation of a smartphone screen showing apersonalized Virtual Wayfinder application 600 providing re-aggregatedfiltered device-modified special purpose output data relating to flighttime and flight status 602, gate information 603, gate status 607,georeferencing information 605, 606, 610, vendor information 604, 608,609, and subscriber/member information 601. Flight time and status 602is an illustration that the flight is United Airlines (UA) flight 1492,departing at 1:40 pm, and has a flight status of on-time. Flight timeand status 602 is MECV flight arrival and departure information 121 thatis converted from airline feed 101. Gate information 603 is anillustration that the flight is departing from GATE 42B. Gate status 607is an illustration that the flight boarding time is in 60 minutes. Gateinformation 603 is derived from MECV gate information 122 and MECV gatelocation information 129 converted from check-in feed 102 and gateinformation feed 109. Gate status 607 is also taken from MECV gateinformation 122 and MECV gate location information 129 converted fromcheck-in feed 102 and gate information feed 109.

Georeferencing distance information 605 indicates that the passenger is900 meters from the gate. Georeferencing walking time information 606indicates that the passenger is 20 minutes from the gate. Both distanceinformation 605 and walking time information 606 are derived from ameasurement of the passenger's location, e.g. passenger's smartphoneinterfacing with the travel operations display system using WiFi,Bluetooth, or a similar mounted wireless transceiver subsystem, comparedto the fixed location of the gate and the non-linear walking pathbetween them. Distance 605 is updated as the passenger advances downtheir pathway. Although distance 605 will usually only vary because ofmaintenance or construction detours, walking time 606 will varydepending on the rate of speed of the passenger as detected by remotesensors, how busy or crowded the walking path is (volume), and TSAscreening/security checkpoint delays.

Distance data 605 and/or walking time data 606 may be linked to BoardingTime data 607 to generate a Boarding Compliance report that is monitoredby the system. If the Boarding Compliance report indicates a lowering inthe passenger's probability of successfully reaching the gate in atimely manner, a report can be generated and sent to the Gate, to theAirline, to TSA security, and to Baggage, etc. A graphic alert can besent to notify the passenger of the lowered probability of timelyarrival to the boarding gate, so that the passenger can makearrangements to get back on track to successfully arriving at the Gateon time, or the passenger can use the Alert and Notification tocommunicate that an issue has arisen preventing them from making it tothe Gate in a timely manner.

The graphic alert and notification can be programmed to provide alertpreferences where the alert may include a color change to the graphic, asound alert, a recorded message, and the like depending on passengerpreferences or airport demands, The color change to the graphic can beprogrammed to change in direct relation to the probability of timelyGate arrival by the passenger.

If the system detects, and/or the passenger confirms, that the passengerwill not make to the Gate on time for boarding, the Gate report allowsthe Gate personnel to be able to immediately and efficiently offerStand-By Seating to other passengers. The Airline Gate report allows theairline to obtain an accurate passenger count for aircraft loadbalancing. The Baggage Gate report allows baggage handlers to remove andsecure an unattended bag for later pick up by the passenger. The TSAGate report allows security and/or public safety personnel to increasemonitoring to provide any needed assistance for a passenger in need,e.g. medical attention, and/or avoid attempted criminal activitieswithin the airport facility, e.g. transport of an unattended bag.

Vendor and concession graphics such as coffee shop 604, newsstand 608,or restaurant 609 indicate that a passenger has various vending,concessions, or amenities, e.g. family bathroom, available to themimmediately adjacent their location in real-time as they move throughthe airport facility.

Way-finding arrow 610 also provides a passenger with the real-timecapability to quickly, accurately and successfully navigate through anunfamiliar airport without relying on airport signage that may be in adifferent language, or that may be out of date due to construction ormaintenance detours and the like. Wayfinding arrow 610 is illustrated inthis non-limiting embodiment as a first proximal arrow 611 leading to aseries of dashed lines 612 that connect to a second distal arrow 613.However, the invention contemplates the use of any graphic indicatorsthat provide first-person view information to aid in navigating theinternal or external space or terrain that is covered within theboundaries of the system. In alternative examples, the graphic mayconsist of a compass personalized to the user's gate or target locationwithin the facility, a direction indicating gauge or dial, a bore-sighttype of indicator, an animated creature or person to be followed,various graphic animated objects such as an airplane, footprints oranimated shoes, words, logos, a mascot, a bouncing ball, aphotorealistic object, combinations of such graphic elements, and soforth. It is contemplated as within the scope of the invention thatvarious colors and shapes may be used to convey additional informationsuch as time/urgency, distance, direction, and obstacles. Size andproportionality may be varied according to user preferences and/or needdue to visual impairment.

It is also within the scope of the invention that various sounds andspoken words would be used in combination with the wayfinder assistivefeature. Alerts, warnings, and advice may be programmed and availabledepending on a user's preferences. Additionally, a tone-based way-findermay be implemented to assist the visually impaired. Tones may be longtones, short tones, or ticking sounds to provide directional assistance.For example, user who is on-track might hear a specific tone, e.g. asteady tone, or lack of a tone. However, if they veer from the correctpath through the facility, second and third tones might be used. Tonebased radio navigation systems are well known in maritime, aviation, andspace-based systems. However, the inventive system provides the use oflow-power, facility-mounted transponder beacons, in combination with auser's cell phone, which of course has cellular, wifi, bluetooth orother radio antenna transceiving systems, and a geolocating facilityhaving a database system with the ability to push or pull graphic-datafor graphic generation on a user's device.

FIG. 7 is a graphic representation of a smartphone screen showingre-aggregated filtered device-modified special purpose output datarelating to geo-tagged transportation/parking information, gate status,flight status, TSA checkpoint status, vendor options, flightinformation, weather information, and in-flight options and information.FIG. 7 illustrates how the present invention can provide a PersonalizedReal-Time Travel Summary (PRTS) 701 in an easy to read format. The PRTSmay include a welcome message 702 from the airport or facility. Verifiedtraveler data 703, and traveler baggage information 704 are sent fromthe control node/relational database responsive to either a push and/orpull request transmitted over the system. Detected parking space data705 is obtained from the beacon-subsystem, or may be input using RFID,QR code or bar code, or from input by the user. All of this informationis saved to a passenger profile stored within the system. Time To Gate(TTG) data 706, Time To Boarding (TTB) data 707 and Security CheckpointStatus (TSA) data 708 are generated using the location of the user'scell phone or smart device and computing the output using appropriateinput variables. For example, TTG data 706 is calculated by dividingwalking speed by pedestrian distance to the specific gate 719 accordingto measurable, known distances stored in the relational database. Thisvalue may be varied, plus or minus, by comparing to actual beaconmeasurements as the passenger moves through the facility, aggregatecrowd-flow data, security or safety data, and variables from the user'sprofile such as disabilities, injuries, age, and so forth as provided bythe user. Aggregate crowd-flow data, such as conveyance andbeacon-monitoring feeds 113 from FIG. 1, are collected from a largeenough sample of individual user/passenger movement tracking beaconswithin the facility to provide the operator with models of crowd-flowthrough the facility. The system operator can select the sample sizedepending on QoD requirements. Extracting a sub-sample model of acrowd-flow model path based on a passenger's target destination andcomparing the distance to the gate 719 and target destination crowd-flowagainst the user's location allows the system to provide an estimate ofthe TTG data 706. The invention contemplates that other ways ofcollecting, comparing, and reporting such TTG information are within thescope of the invention.

Time To Boarding (TTB) 707 is data transmitted from the system as partof the user PRTS 701 and that is derived from input data 120 from FIG.2. The TTB data is often boarding time data provided as a gateinformation feed 109. It is contemplated that the system may alsoinclude additional information, either from the system operator/controlnode, or from other feeds such as public safety feed 105, etc.

Security Checkpoint Status (TSA) data 708 are generated using thelocation of the user's cell phone or smart device and computing theoutput using appropriate input variables. In one example, the speed andvolume of passenger's through the TSA lanes associated with the user'sboarding gate or arrival gate can be input. This input may be plotted toprovide an estimated checkpoint speed and volume at the time that theuser is estimated to arrive at the checkpoint from the user's currentposition within the facility. User tracking is provided as previouslydescribed herein. Additionally, TSA data 708 may be assigned specificcategorical quality indicators depending on the checkpoint speed andclient/passenger throughput volume. An empty checkpoint may be assignedan indicator of “No Wait” while a checkpoint having standard speed andvolume may be labelled “Okay”, and a checkpoint where the speed is belowstandard and/or the volume is above standard may be assigned adesignator of “Slowing”, or similar. This TSA data 708 may be generatedby a checkpoint vendor, e.g. TSA, another 3rd party QoS metric vendor,from aggregated user device data, or from the facility. This TSA data708 may also be supplied to checkpoint personnel for monitoring theirown progress, staffing, problems, etc.

Gate data 709 is data transmitted from the system as part of the userPRTS 701 and that is derived from input data 120 from FIG. 2. The Gatedata includes boarding data, standby status and availability, aircraftcleaning and re-stocking data, and so forth, as provided as a gateinformation feed 109, conveyance, e.g. wheelchair or electric cart, data113, airline feed 101 and air traffic control 122. It is contemplatedthat the system may also include additional information, either from thesystem operator/control node, or from other feeds such as public safetyfeed 105, etc. Traveler assistance data 720 is an example of how thesystem can identify passenger needs and in a unified system, provide forbidirectional (duplex) communication notices to user, system, and otherstakeholders, to provide a necessary service in a seamless and efficientmanner.

Flight number 710, flight time 711, and flight status 712 are providedby airline feed 101. In-flight meal 714 and in-flight movie 715 may beprovided from airline feed 101 or from terminal specific feeds 104.Weather data 713 is provided from weather feed 107, but may also beprovided from television feed 108. Food coupon 716 and news/media coupon717 are examples of data that interface with vendors and may be providedfrom terminal specific feed 104 and/or vendor feeds 110.

FIG. 8 is a graphic network illustration and shows among other things ina State Diagram how the system allows an airline to remotely access thestatus and settings of a remote travel operations display system via theInternet. FIG. 8 illustrates in one non-limiting example how the system800 is comprised of numerous interconnected elements. In onenon-limiting preferred embodiment, these elements are logically andconceptually categorized into five (5) Tiers, namely the PresentationTier 810, the Business Tier 820, the Intergration Tier 830, the DataTier 840, and the Source Provider (Tier) 850.

As a structural overview, Presentation Tier 810 comprises a Drupal webserver 811 connected to the Internet. The web server 811 is programmedto access the remote travel operations display system 800 via the Herokunode 821. Heroku node 821 is logically located in the Business Tier 820and is connected to Amazon Web Services S3 (AWS) 842, FireBase 843, andFlightStats 854. AWS 842 and FireBase 843 are logically located in theData Tier 840 as can be seen in FIG. 8. FlightStats (Server) 854 islogically located in Source Provider Tier 850. AWS 842 is connected toWindows Server 831 located in Integration Tier 830. Windows Server 831is connected to SQL Server 841 logically located in Data Tier 840, andis connected to facility servers Multi-User Flight Information DisplaySystem (MUFIDS) DCA/IAD 851, Parking DCA 852, and Security Wait Time IAD853.

Drupal web server 811 uses an open-source modular content managementframework to install, administer, and manage websites. Drupal, as aContent Management System (CMS), provides user account registration andmaintenance, menu management, RSS feeds, taxonomy, page layoutcustomization, and system administration. Drupal is written in PHPcomputing language, runs on any computing platform, and supports bothweb server functions and database storage and configuration.

Drupal's web server 811 features include access statistics and logging,searching, user profiles, multi-layer access control restrictions,workflow triggers and actions, multi-level menus, support for multiplesites, multi-user access for content creation and editing, featurethrottling to enhance performance, descriptive URLs, RSS feeds, blogsand forums, and OpenID authentication support. Drupal's databasefunctions use PHP data objects to abstract the database (Drupal 7), thusavoiding the need to write SQL queries as text strings.

Heroku node 821 is a cloud-based Platform As A Service (PAAS) thatprovides the system administrator to deploy, run, and manageapplications (source code program) written in various computerlanguages, including Ruby, Node.js, Java, Python, Clojure, Scala, Go,and PHP. Heroku functions can be divided into two buckets: (1)application development and deployment, and (2) runtime operation of theHeroku platform and post-deployment functions of the application.

In Heroku deployment, the Applications consist of source code,dependencies, and a Procfile. Procfiles list process types—namedcommands that you may want executed. Deploying an application involvessending the application to Heroku using either git, GitHub, Dropbox, orvia an API. Buildpacks lie behind the slug compilation process.Buildpacks take your application, its dependencies, and the languageruntime, and produce slugs. A slug is a bundle of your source, fetcheddependencies, the language runtime, and compiled generated output of thebuild system—ready for execution. Config vars contain customizableconfiguration data that can be changed independently of your sourcecode. The configuration is exposed to a running application viaenvironment variables. Add-ons are third party, specialized, value-addedcloud services that can be easily attached to an application, extendingits functionality. A release is a combination of a slug (yourapplication), config vars and add-ons. Heroku maintains an append-onlyledger of releases you make.

In the runtime operation of the Heroku platform 821, containers calledDynos are isolated, virtualized unix containers, and are used to providethe environment required to run an application. An application's dynoformation is the total number of currently-executing dynos, dividedbetween the various process types that have been scaled. The dynomanager is responsible for managing dynos across all applicationsrunning on Heroku. Applications that use the free dyno type will sleepafter 30 minutes of inactivity. Scaling to multiple web dynos, or adifferent dyno type, will avoid this. One-off Dynos are temporary dynosthat run with their input/output attached to the local terminal. Eachdyno is loaded with the latest release. Each dyno gets its own ephemeralfilesystem—with a fresh copy of the most recent release. These can beused as temporary scratchpad, but changes to the filesystem are notreflected to other dynos. Logplex automatically collates log entriesfrom all the running dynos of the app, as well as other components suchas the routers, providing a single source of activity. Scaling anapplication involves varying the number of dynos of each process type.

AWS S3 842 is the Amazon Simple Storage Service (S-S-S=S3) part of theAmazon Web Services (AWS) suite of cloud computing services, andprovides scalable, large capacity storage and computing without needingto build a physical server farm. AWS itself consists of 9 main productareas that comprises a total of over 70 different services. The ninemain product areas include computing, networking, content delivery,storage and content delivery, database, deployment, management,application services, and analytics. AWS S3 services use hypertexttransfer protocol (HTTP) as the access protocol for accessing over theweb, and use the Representational State Transfer (REST) architecture,Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) protocol, and BitTorrent. The RESTarchitecture is the same architecture of the world wide web (WWW) anduses the HTTP communication protocol with HTTP verbs (GET, POST, PUT,DELETE) and Uniform Resource Identifiers (URIs) to identify webresources and interface with external systems. The SOAP protocolspecifies the exchange of structured information using the XMLInformation Set for formatting (envelope, header, body) and applicationlayer protocol HTTP and SMTP to negotiate and transmit information.BitTorrent is a peer-to-peer file sharing communication protocol whichspreads transmission and receipt of data over multiple peer clientcomputers called Seeds. BitTorrent is a low-bandwidth way oftransmitting large amounts of data by having the user transmit orreceive a file that is described in a small torrent descriptor file withthe original file broken into equal sized segments, encrypted, andtransmitted non-sequentially through a swarm/group/network of connectedpeer computers. The torrent descriptor file allows correct reassembly ofthe file at the destination and allows removes any time requirements orcontinuity requirements typical of a standard upload or download.

FireBase 843 is a database product from the Google company that is aplatform for storing and syncing data in a JavaScript Object Notation(JSON) database in real time. Firebase is provided as a cloud serviceand is a Backend-As-A-Service (BAAS) provider. Firebase provides arealtime database with an Application Programming Interface (API) thatallows storing and syncing data across multiple clients. JSON is alightweight data-interchange format that uses normal (human-readable)text to transmit data object consisting of attribute-value pairs. JSONis denied from JavaScript but is now language independent. UnlikeJavaScript, JSON allows line separator and paragraph separators (U+2028,U+2029) important for JSON padding, and thus JSON is not a strict subsetof JavaScript. It is a common data format used for asynchronousbrowser/server communication, known as Asynchronous JavaScript And JSON(AJAJ), similar to how XML functioned for AJAX.

FlightStats 854 is a data services product that provides real-timeglobal flight data to subscribers. Flight Status APIs contain over 300data elements per flight record. These data elements may includescheduled departure/arrival times, estimated departure/arrival times,actual departure/arrival times, type of equipment, delay calculations,terminal information, gate information, baggage carousel information,departure performance for airports, flight on-time percentage,performance/delay index, degree of lateness probabilities, and weatherinformation. In one preferred embodiment, FlightStats 854 providesFlight Identification Display System (FIDS) as an API in a standardizedformat via a streaming data feed using a simple request/responseprotocol.

FIG. 8 also shows how in one preferred embodiment the interconnectedsystem works in operation. In STEP 1, File Transfer Protocol (FTP) filesare transferred every three (3) minutes from Multi-User FlightIdentification Display System (MUFIDS) 851, Parking DCA database/server852, and Security Wait Time IAD database and server 853 to WindowsServer 831. In STEP 1.1, files are inserted into SQL server for backupand for reporting purposes into SQL Server 841. In STEP 1.2, four (4)JSON files are sent every three (3) minutes with updates to the AWS S3server 842.

Continuing with this non-limiting example, FlightStats 854 in STEP 2.1.1sends a complete schedule for the day at e.g. 2:10 a.m. of theFlightStats information to Heroku node 821. Heroku node 821 thenimmediately reports schedule information to Firebase 843.

Then in STEP 2.2.1, AWS S3 updates Heroku node 821 every three (3)minutes. Following in STEP 2.2.2, Heroku node 821 merges the MUFIDS datawith the schedule data every three (3) minutes, and then updates AWS S3842 and Firebase 843.

Firebase 843 then in STEP 2.3 downloads the Merge data, and then feedsinto AWS S3 842 via the Heroku node 821. In STEP 2.4, Heroku node 821then performs a Flight Status Search of FlightStats 854 while Herokunode 821 updates the Drupal Web Server 811. Finally, in STEP 3, AWS S3842 feeds Flight Information into the webpage at Drupal Web Server 811.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart process diagram 900 illustrating centralizedcontrol of information from the data feeds through the decoupling,coding, and validating process to create the new data structures andcentralized control of the database storage, querying, collection,optimization, and transmission processes.

Data feeds A-n in STEP 901 are received by the system in STEP 902. STEP902 may include specific ontologies to resolve semantic conflicts in theheterogenous data feeds A-n. STEP 902 transmits the data for processingin STEPS 903, 904, and 905 which detect the data format, converts thedata to the specific DB data structure, and validating the processing.STEP 903 converts the data by detecting the data format, mapping andextracting the data. A direct conversion program may be used prior toexporting to the target format. Alternatively, an intermediateconversion program may be used to convert to tab deleted or commaseparated text file prior to exporting to the target format. STEP 904verifies and optionally cleans the data. Verification checks thattranslation was accurate, translation was complete, and thattranslational results in a format supported in the new DB datastructure. Cleaning may include checking the data against Quality ofData (QoD) specifications, checking to eliminate redundant data,checking to eliminate obsolete data, and/or checking to match data tonew reports. STEP 905 loads the data to the relational data base (DB)and STEP 906 stores the data to the server. STEP 907 illustrates howconditions, triggers, and/or continuous queries access the DB and pourtheir result into STEP 909 query DB. Ad hoc query in STEP 908 alsoprovides for one-time reports or retrievals. STEP 910 retrieves andprocesses the requested data and STEP 911 optimizes the report orretrieval according to pre-specified parameters or Quality of Service(QoS) specifications. These parameters may include time, data structure,etc. required for the target destination's use of the data. STEP 912illustrates how the data in this non-limiting example is transmitted asdigital video output to a remote display system in STEP 913. STEP 914 isthe centralized control by the Network Operations Center (NOC) wherebythe output can be pushed out to the target display system.Alternatively, the system can include whereby the target output has apull function for obtaining the target output from the DB.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart process diagram 1000 illustrating how anauthenticated and verified user device can be located within a facilityincluding position and direction, and how a personalized wayfindersystem of the present invention can generate and transmit to the userdevice a real-time updated architectural graphic rendering of the user'slocation within the facility from the user's viewpoint and/or from abird's-eye view and how the wayfinder system integrates user-centrictravel-related information into the graphic rendering being provided tothe user device, while providing the network with updated user locationor other information. STEP 1001 is the user device log in and STEP 1002is the authentication step for the user's device to access the system.STEP 1003 is the air travel information verification whereby the userand the user's device are checked against system DB records, e.g.records derived from airline feed 101, check-in feed 102, public safetyfeed 105, passenger screening feed 106, etc. STEP 1004 locates theuser/user's device within the facility using GPS and WiFi, obtainingboth position and direction. STEP 1005 creates the graphic architecturalrendering of the interior space (GARIS) around the user, and transmitsthis to the user's device. STEP 1006 populates the graphic with localobjects and icons (LOT). STEP 1007 sets the timer for periodic update ofgate, TSA, flight data and so forth. STEP 1007 also updates the graphicsent to the user's device by pulling from the DB or receiving pushnotifications from the system/DB. STEP 1008 detects the movement of theuser device or user using location beacons or other sensors, e.g. RFID,cameras, etc., and updates the GARIS and LOI information in the systemand in the user's device graphic rendering. STEP 1009 reports user datato the network. The STEP 1009 reporting can be performed at eachmilestone, periodically, or continuously depending on operatordetermined settings. STEP 1010 sends message(s) from the network/systemregarding gate, TSA, flight, etc. as well as nearby/adjacent vendor LOIas the passenger physically moves through the facility.

FIG. 11 is a subsystem diagram 1100 illustrating how advertisingactivity using a VPN-integrated or web-integrated advertising databasecan receive system user traffic information from a central node or NOC,which can then insert video-, audio-, or text-based advertisements intoend-point user-facing display devices through appropriate networkinterfaces, and which uses the digital input from the processed datastreams to update and/or tailor user-facing advertising or publicservice announcements.

Advertising data base 1101 is connected to a traffic optimized filter1102. Passenger traffic is generated by the physical movement ofpassengers through the facility. Passenger data traffic is generated asuser's interact with the system. NOC controlled video output 1103represents digital output from the processed data feeds 1104 and is sentto digital output 1105. Digital output device may include the necessaryhardware for receiving, processing, and displaying the system output,such as for example, antenna(e), HDMI connections, componentconnections, etc. and hardware interface 1106, data processor 1107,local memory 1108, display processor 1109, and display 1110.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart process diagram 1200 illustrating anotherembodiment of how an authenticated and verified user device can belocated within a facility including position and direction, e.g.starting with a parking garage or lot, can offer information to the usersuch as parking, baggage, gate, security, airline, and vendors, and howa personalized graphic summary or wayfinder system of the presentinvention can generate and transmit to the user device a real-timeupdated graphic summary of the user's location within the facility andhow the wayfinder system integrates user-centric travel-relatedinformation into the graphic rendering being provided to the userdevice, while providing the network with updated user location or otherinformation.

STEP 1201 is the air traveler user device log in and STEP 1202authenticates the user and use's device in the system for access tosystem services. STEP 1203 verifies the air traveler user informationand generates a system report in STEP 1205 while checking to update theair traveler user information in STEP 1204. STEP 1206 locates the userusing location beacons, GPS, cellular, and the like. STEP 1207 offersthe user a geo-tag of their parking spot if the user is determined to belocated in a parking facility, and STEP 1208 saves the parkinginformation to the user profile, updating the user device and updatingthe system. STEP 1209 calculates the user position relative to the gateand STEP 1210 estimates walking travel time to the gate. STEP 1212generates and provides a graphic summary, e.g. text, using the 1206location and 1210 travel time, which is transmitted to the user device.STEP 1213 creates a navigation graphic (NAV), e.g. static or dynamicanimation, using the summary 1212, and sends the NAV to the user device.STEP 1214 locally populates the NAV navigation graphic with additionallocal objects and icons (LOI) that are nearby the user's location. STEP1215 sets a timer to periodically receive updates from TSA, airline,vendors, airport systems, and so forth, and STEP 1216 detects the userlocation and updates and transmits the NAV and LOI graphic. STEP 1217,STEP 1219, and STEP 1220 receive and update various information. STEP1217 receives user baggage screen data, and generates a baggage report,which is reported in STEP 1221 in a user baggage data report to thenetwork. STEP 1219 receives use TSA screen data, and generates a TSAreport, which is reported in STEP 1221 in a user TSA data report to thenetwork. STEP 1220 receives gate and Boarding data, and generates areport, which is reported in STEP 1221 in a user Gate and Boarding datareport. STEP 1218 illustrates how baggage data, or TSA screening data orGate and Boarding data, can be saved to a user's profile and the userdevice and system can be updated with the new information. FIG. 12 isillustrative and is intend to be a non-limiting example whereby personsof skill in the art understand that specific data feeds and processesmay be fungible.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart state diagram 1300 illustrating centralizedcontrol of the system from receipt of the external data feeds, tocreating and updating a travel system database, to identifying thetarget output devices and creating device-specific output data, totransmitting to the target device(s).

In this non-limiting example, Central Control Node 1301, also known asNetwork Operation Center (NOC), system administrator, or operator,oversees, operates, administers, maintains, and updates the system 1300.Internal airport real time data feed 1302 external airline real timedata fed 1303, government security real time data feed 1304, and thirdparty real time data feed 1305 all communicate to the centralized datacollection node 1306. The data decoupling module 1307 converts data 1308by mapping and extracting data from the data feeds. Validation 1309includes verification to ensure accurate, complete, and supportedtranslations, and optional cleaning to eliminate redundant, obsolete orrevising to update with matched data. Loading 1310 saves the data to therelational database and makes in available for use by the system. Outputselection module 1311 selects the destination or target output device.Out selection module 1311 may be an automated subsystem wherebyconnected devices are routinely ping'd or queried to provide deviceinformation, connectivity information, and protocol information via thedevice detection feedback module 1312. Output selection module 1311 anddevice detection feedback module 1312 operate to tailor each specificoutput to each connected device to optimize efficient and quality dataavailability. The converted, validated, loaded, and optimized data feedsare transmitted to filtered output data feed module 1313 and outputdistribution module 1314 for transmission to the destination or targetoutput data display unit 1316. Display reconfiguration module 1315identifies when a device has changed, been substituted for a new devicewith the same user profile, has a change in or a degraded connectivity,or changes the access protocol, and reconfigures the data output in realtime to optimize the efficiency and quality of the data availability.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing control node/NOC computer 1414receiving external data feeds 1401, 1416, 1417, decoupling such feeds1403 by mapping and extracting, validating the decoupled data 1404 byverifying and cleaning, loading into the relational database 1405, andgenerating a combined airport feeds user interface (CAFUI) 1415 forcentralizing monitoring of the system, management of the system, and/orreporting on the system 1400.

In preferred embodiments, the CAFUI 1415 provides a single, centralizeddisplay presenting data feed information 1401, 1416, images related tothe data feed information, and/or management tools 1417. Presentationmay include raw processed feed data, graphic representations of rawprocessed feed data, and graphic representations of combined feed databy type, location, feed originator, processed feed destination, and soforth. At the system level, one type of data feed within the scope ofthe present invention, is user data 1416. User data includes useridentification, user mobile device information e.g. IMSI, RUIM, usermobile device location by nearest beacon or beacon triangulation, usermobile device location by GPS, user baggage information, user air travelinformation including airline, flight, time, origin, destination, userpromotions e.g. mileage programs, user mobile device battery level, userprofile information, user special needs, e.g. wheelchair, unaccompaniedminor, etc. Non-limiting examples of system management tools includetools for generating summary reports, generating detailed reports,communicating to stakeholders within the private network as well as tooutside 3rd party stakeholders about such information, requestingupdates, sharing links to all or part of the user interface withpersonnel and/or 3rd parties, performing diagnostic checks, loading andrunning software scripts, adding, modifying or deleting destinations anddevices that receive data feeds, pushing text, audio messages, and/orlinks to all or part of the user interface to one or more specificdestinations or devices within the system, archiving and backing up,monitoring and managing connections to outside networks, monitoring andmanaging network intrusions and security, setting alerts and/orreporting parameters, and so forth.

FIG. 15 shows a non-limiting example of an embodiment of a combinedairport feeds user interface (CAFUI) according to the present invention.The CAFUI can be composed of regions within a single screen, or can becomposed of a general table of contents screen with access, e.g. tabs,radio buttons, etc., within menus or otherwise, to secondary screenspresenting detailed information in a hierarchical manner. The CAFUI isillustrated as separated into regions. Although regions can be generatedusing any desired data feed or combination thereof, FIG. 15 showsregions relating to airline, check-in, baggage, terminal-specific,public safety, passenger screening, weather, outside media sources, gateinformation, vendors, transportation, air traffic control, andconveyances.

It is understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrativeof only a few of the many possible specific embodiments, which canrepresent applications of the invention. Numerous and varied otherarrangements can be made by those skilled in the art without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the invention.

1. A combined airport feeds user interface, comprising: a data feedsregion configured to display links to real-time airport data feedsselected from the group consisting of an airline data feed, a baggagedata feed, a terminal data feed, a public safety data feed, a passengerdata feed, a weather data feed, a gate data feed, a vendor data feed, atransportation data feed, an air traffic control data feed, and a mediadata feed; a system management region configured to display systemmanagement tools for a travel operations display system for centralizedmanagement and distribution of airport content media, wherein the traveloperations display system comprises (i) a centralized data collectionnode that receives the real-time airport data feeds, (ii) a datadecoupling module for scrubbing the received data of the real-timeairport feeds, coding the scrubbed data, and validating the coded data,and (iii) a central control node for monitoring and controlling thetravel operations display system; and at least one additional regionconfigured to display information relating to the at least oneadditional region, wherein the at least one additional region selectedfrom a manage relational database region, a manage remote displayregion, a manage customer/passenger mobile devices region, an emergencymanagement region, an archive region, a manage beacon network region, agenerate reports region, a communication region, an alert region, and ansystem parameters region.
 2. A method of providing information aboutairport operations, comprising: providing the combined airport feedsuser interface according to claim 1, wherein the combined airport feedsuser interface comprises the data feeds region, the system managementregion, and the at least one additional region; displaying airport datafeed information in said data feeds region, wherein said airport datafeed information is generated by a travel operations display system thatcomprises (i) a centralized data collection node that receives thereal-time airport data feeds, (ii) a data decoupling module forscrubbing the received data of the real-time airport feeds, coding thescrubbed data, and validating the coded data, and (iii) a centralcontrol node for monitoring and controlling the travel operationsdisplay system; displaying system management information in said systemmanagement region, wherein said system management information isgenerated by the travel operations display system; and displayingadditional information in said at least one additional region, whereinsaid additional information is selected from relational databaseinformation, remote display information, customer/passenger mobiledevices information, emergency management information, archiveinformation, beacon network information, generating reports information,communication information, alert information, and system parameterinformation.
 3. A travel operations display system for centralizedmanagement and distribution of airport content media, said systemhaving: a centralized data collection node that receives real-time datafeeds from multiple airport systems; a data decoupling module forscrubbing received real-time data feeds, coding scrubbed data, andvalidating coded output data, wherein the output data is stored in arelational database; a central control node, wherein the central controlnode is configured to monitor and control the centralized datacollection node and the data decoupling module; wherein the centralcontrol node is configured to manage the relational database; aplurality of remote display devices, wherein the central control node isconfigured to transmit output data from the relational database to theplurality of display devices; wherein the real-time data feeds comprisereal-time airport data feeds selected from the group consisting of anairline data feed, a baggage data feed, a terminal data feed, a publicsafety data feed, a passenger data feed, a weather data feed, a gatedata feed, a vendor data feed, a transportation data feed, an airtraffic control data feed, and a media data feed; and, wherein thecentral control node is configured to display the combined airport feedsuser interface according to claim
 1. 4. The system according to claim 3,wherein the real-time data feeds comprise an airline data feed, abaggage control data feed, a TSA public safety data feed, a weather datafeed, a transportation data feed, a public safety data feed, a gateinformation data feed, and an airport vendor data feed.
 5. A method ofproviding media content to a plurality of displays in an airport,comprising: receiving real-time data feeds from multiple airport systemsinto the centralized data collection node of the system according toclaim 3; scrubbing received data, coding scrubbed data, and validatingcoded output data, using the data decoupling module of the systemaccording to claim 3; and monitoring and controlling the real-time datafeeds, database management, data decoupling and output selection, devicedetection feedback, output data feed distribution to a display device,and the updating of output data feeds for repurposing the plurality ofdisplays in an airport, using the central control node of the systemaccording to claim
 3. 6. A method of providing media content to asmartphone of a passenger in an airport, comprising: receiving real-timedata feeds from multiple airport systems into the centralized datacollection node of the system according to claim 3; scrubbing receiveddata, coding scrubbed data, and validating coded output data, using thedata decoupling module of the system according to claim 3; andmonitoring and controlling the real-time data feeds, databasemanagement, data decoupling and output selection, device detectionfeedback, output data feed distribution to the smartphone, and theupdating of output data feeds for repurposing the smartphone, using thecentral control node of the system according to claim
 3. 7. A system forproviding an airline remote access to the status and settings of theremote travel operations display system according to claim 3 via theInternet, the system comprising: a web server connected to the Internet,the web server is programmed to access the remote travel operationsdisplay system and has a data storage device, a connection to theInternet to communicate with the airline, and a messaging gatewaycoupled to a network to communicate with the remote travel operationsdisplay system, at least one remote access module is connected to theremote travel operations display system, the remote access module has adigital interface coupled to the remote travel operations display systemand a communications module to communicate with the web server via thenetwork, and the messaging gateway, and an internet device is connectedto the internet to allow the airline to communicate with the web server,wherein the airline can remotely access and control the remote traveloperations display system via the web server.
 8. A method of providing asystem that allows an airline to remotely access the status and settingsof the remote travel operations display system according to claim 3 viathe Internet, the method comprising the steps of: providing a web serverconnected to the Internet, wherein the web server is programmed toaccess the remote travel operations display system, wherein the webserver has a data storage device, a connection to the Internet tocommunicate with the airline, and a messaging gateway coupled to anetwork to communicate with the remote travel operations display system;providing at least one remote access module that is connected to theremote travel operations display system, the remote access module havinga digital interface coupled to the remote travel operations displaysystem and a communications module to communicate with the web servervia the network, and the messaging gateway; and providing an internetdevice is connected to the internet to allow the airline to communicatewith the web server, wherein the airline can remotely access and controlthe remote travel operations display system via the web server.
 9. Amethod of remotely updating the travel operations display systemaccording to claim 3 via the Internet, comprising the steps: accessingthe travel operations display system at a remote airport location, viathe Internet; providing updated airline information to the remote traveloperations display system; wherein the updated airline information isreceived into a centralized data collection node; wherein a datadecoupling module scrubs the received updated airline information, codesthe scrubbed data, and validates the coded output data; wherein anoutput selection module creates a special purpose output data feed,wherein a device detection feedback module modifies and updates theoutput selection module, wherein an output distribution moduledistributes the special purpose output data to a special purpose outputdata display device; wherein a central control node monitors andcontrols the updated airline information, the database management, thedata decoupling and output selection, the device detection feedback, andthe output data feed distribution to a display device.
 10. The traveloperations display system according to claim 3, further comprising: anoutput selection module for creating a plurality of filtered specialpurpose output data feeds; a device detection feedback module formodifying and updating the output selection module; an outputdistribution module for distributing each filtered special purposeoutput data feeds to special purpose output data display device; and adisplay reconfiguration module for updating each filtered specialpurpose output data feed and for re-purposing the filtered specialpurpose output data feed to include a second selection of real-time datafeeds different from the original selection of real-time data feeds. 11.The method of providing media content to a plurality of displays in anairport according to claim 5, further comprising the steps: creating aplurality of filtered special purpose output data feeds, using an outputselection module; modifying and updating the output selection module,using a device detection feedback module; distributing each filteredspecial purpose output data feeds to special purpose output data displaydevice, using an output distribution module; and, updating each filteredspecial purpose output data feed and re-purposing the filtered specialpurpose output data feed to include a second selection of real-time datafeeds different from the original selection of real-time data feeds,using a display reconfiguration module
 12. The method of providing mediacontent to a smartphone of a passenger in an airport according to claim6, further comprising the steps: creating a plurality of filteredspecial purpose output data feeds, using an output selection module;modifying and updating the output selection module, using a devicedetection feedback module; distributing each filtered special purposeoutput data feeds to the smartphone, using an output distributionmodule; and, updating each filtered special purpose output data feed andre-purposing the filtered special purpose output data feed to include asecond selection of real-time data feeds different from the originalselection of real-time data feeds, using a display reconfigurationmodule.